Takeaways:

Using green screens sounds interesting and engaging for students and I could see how it adds an extra element of depth to student projects. The list of green screen project ideas are super engaging!

I also think that the most important part of using green screens in the classroom is that it fosters imagination and creativity. I find my students struggle to be creative and have little imagination compared to when I was a kid. I think the green screen gives possibilities that regular videos don't. It would be interesting to give students a specific background and have them go from there and create a skit or tell them they need to have 4 scene changes in their story and see where that takes them.

The connection to the "real world" as a meteorologist is the prefect way to hook students. I think it would be interesting to do a collaboration with green screen recordings and Book Creator.

I was apprehensive about green screens prior to this class but once I get the technical elements figured out I think it would be a really neat addition to my students learning :)

-Green screens allow students to replace video or photo backgrounds with any image or scene, fostering creativity and making learning more engaging.

-They boost student engagement by supporting hands-on, inquiry-based learning and work well for cross-curricular projects across subjects like history, science, and writing.

-Green screen setups are affordable and accessible, using simple materials like green fabric or paint and budget-friendly apps like Do Ink or Chromavid for editing.

-Green screen projects typically follow three phases: setup (organizing materials and tools), production (filming and editing), and growth (reflection and feedback).

-Popular project ideas include book reviews, historical reenactments, science reports, creative storytelling, weather forecasts, and news reports, allowing students to immerse themselves in content creatively.

-These activities promote collaboration by assigning roles such as director, actor, and editor, helping students build teamwork, communication, and problem-solving skills.

-Green screen projects help develop critical skills like digital literacy, planning, creativity, and self-reflection, enriching students' learning experiences and future work.

-Challenges such as limited time or resources can be overcome by focusing on structured, simple projects and using budget-friendly tools and materials.

I really enjoyed this video, especially the classroom examples. Cordis and I watched it together, and we both came up with many ideas on how we could use this in our own classrooms. Using a green screen is a fantastic way to promote collaboration. Students can work together on projects where they write and perform music, design backgrounds, and direct their own videos. This encourages teamwork and fosters creative thinking. I can also use the green screen to simulate different historical periods or famous performances, helping students visualize the contexts in which various musical styles and genres developed.

Green Screening

Years ago, when I was teaching Grade 6, we experimented with clay, green screens, and stop-motion animation. The students wrote short stories and crafted clay characters to use in their animations. As you can imagine, they absolutely loved the activity and were fully engaged throughout the entire process. This project was successful largely due to the support of our Tech Specialist and two EAs. Managing 28 students on my own would have made it significantly more challenging.

When I transitioned to teaching Grade 3, we continued to use green screen technology in a creative way. Using WeVideo, students added spooky backgrounds to their Halloween poetry readings. While the students enjoyed the project, inserting the backgrounds into their videos proved to be difficult due to their limited experience with video creation. As a result, I handled most of the formatting myself.

Also, my own children at home also love creating videos with green screens. We've had plenty of fun using inexpensive plastic green tablecloths from the Dollar Store as a backdrop for their imaginative projects.

Takeaways

The articles and videos highlighted the creative and engaging opportunities that green screen activities can offer students. The cross-curricular applications are extensive, and I was particularly intrigued by the example of using green screen videos to explain mathematical thinking alongside students’ math journaling. This approach was new to me and opened my eyes to its potential in deepening students’ understanding. Additionally, the idea of using the green screen application for investigating scientific theories would be a fantastic choice for students to present their results. I also like the idea of pairing green screen techniques with Reader’s Theatre.

Even more impactful was the reminder of the importance of productive struggle. The articles and videos emphasized allowing students to make mistakes, reflect, and refine their work, which is essential for meaningful learning. I often feel the instinct to step in and “rescue” my students when they encounter difficulties with technology. However, I now realize that by doing so, I might be depriving them of valuable problem-solving and learning opportunities. This reminder reinforced the importance of stepping back, giving students the space to persevere through challenges.

Takeaways: Loved that the article is open about how learning this tech could be a messy and time-consuming process - with the potential for an "out of control" feeling! So important to remember and be ready for that!!

I think taking a snapshot in math, and then talking their work through line by line would be great! I wonder how teachers manage having only one green screen setup, with multiple groups wanting to use it..

That said, I know there would be some challenges. Learning the green screen tools would take some time on my end, and honestly, fitting this into our already jam-packed days might be tricky. Plus, not all students want to be on screen, so I’d need an alternative. Maybe they could record a podcast or an audio piece to go along with their project instead. Still, I think this could be such a fun and creative way for students to share their learning. I’d love to give it a try, even if it’s just a small experiment at first.

Takeaways:

Students are able to better immerse themselves into their learning when mind and body are connected (lets them play a role). I also like the idea of "Trust the mess" as that's truly when the magic is happening!

The green screen as a way to transport students through time and space and to see parts of the world they may never get to travel to.

I like the idea of having an audience, whether real or pretend, for students to create for. I think that adding in the audience factor will lead to better quality products.

I will need to experiment with the green screen apps, which I didn't know existed, and find a way to incorporate them into future lessons. I think reporting on events (real or fictional) or interviewing characters is where I'll start.

TAKE AWAY

WOW! But I mean we already knew that as educators I think! And of course I'm thinking I wish I just had all of my students do green screen as part of an element for their science projects on Earthquakes and Volcanoes. I find I am always worried about the time and where we are, what we have accomplished and what we still need to do by year end. Again for me it's the just taking the time to explore the app with students and giving them the time to do it, whatever the task at hand is. From the examples, I can see myself modifying my assignment for science for next year and making green screen a component. I am also doing structures in science and was thinking about an assignment structures around the world, so students could transport themselves to their structure and tell me about it on green screen! Finally, I never thought about just using green paper or buying table clothes from the dollar store or using green screen for puppet shows! The one line that really stood out to me on one of the videos was when the person said the teacher takes a step back and just let's the students be and create and take hold of their learning.

I have some experiences with Green Screening. I have used it myself in the past with the Do Ink app and using Green Screen features on social media. I even used green screen features for video assignments I did for my previously completed math certificate. I have not yet done much with students in the way of green screening. I did attempt to do some green screen photos during the year I had grade 6 students but we did not get too far with it.

I would love to be able to do more with green screens and I think that it would be a great way for students to record themselves presenting slideshows that they make. This can take some of the pressure away from having to do this live in front of their peers but still get the experience of being able to have their work presented.

Takeaways:

I appreciated the budget friendly suggestions in the article for a green screen if a proper setup is not in the cards such as a green tablecloth or green paper. I noticed that it mentioned posting their work in bookcreator. My students are familiar with the website from their previous grade and from using it in their French class this year. I also plan to use it more myself.

I like that this form of technology can be used in any context for different subjects and can be used as a way to showcase the knowledge a student has about a subject and gives the students ownership of their learning. I like that the video included that green screen can be a way for students to explain their thinking and use for self reflection. I think this would be a good way that for me to include more self assessment opportunities with my students.

I had so much fun with this! I did a couple on the photofunia site but the pop up ads were a lot so I switched to try with Canva and I couldn't stop. I made several. I used a picture of an embroidery piece I made as my background and a silly picture of me that fit the wording. I am definitely thinking of possibilities for this in the classroom.

Takeaway from reading/viewing:

It was great to see so many ideas about how to apply green screens across different subjects, grades, and levels of access to technology. I knew about layering the images but to see it in practice with different projects was very helpful. It definitely got my brain turning and I found myself brainstorming ways I could try it in my own class. I am hoping to apply it to some of the cross-curricular projects I'm currently planning.

One of the biggest benefits I see, other than good old-fashioned fun, is the ability to share with a larger audience and create such a professional-looking product with quite basic and low-cost technological resources. I agree that students would be incredibly motivated and take ownership of their learning, when presented with these kinds of opportunities. They would certainly be proud to share their learning and creations with their families, the school community, and any other relevant audiences. It also provides various access points for different types of learners and gives students opportunities to be creative in various ways that suit their strengths.

My PhotoFunia experiment is attached above. It is quite user friendly and lots of fun potential!

Takeaways from Video/ Article:

I love that there is a low cost option for teachers on a budget or if you can't get the proper equipment. Just using green paper is genius and shows our students that you can do really cool things with creativity. I also loved all the cross curricular opportunities mentioned and the chart in the article. It gave me so many ideas on how I could realistically use this with my students. I loved all of the investigator options and how they foster inquiry and let students lead their way thought their own learning.

I played around with green screens on Canva and came up with this hilarious compilation of chicken videos. I hope you enjoy! I can see the possibilities of doing this with my students and the fun they will have.

Also..... I did notice that the sound is not working on my video once I posted it here and you can't hear all the cute chicken noises! In Canva the sounds seems to be working.

I love this!! I have never used a green screen before, however several years ago when I was teaching grade 6 there was another teacher in the school who was using them and the chatter from the students was all very positive. One of the things that stands out to me with this is students doing presentations, there are so many students who are reluctant to present in front of the class, however I think that providing them an opportunity to do a presentation with a green screen, to edit it and curate it could help push them out of their comfort zone into a growth zone. I think that this is something that could be used for not just curriculum and classroom content but also for special announcements, for student leadership groups, or for student groups. I specifically think about a student I worked with in the past who had recently been diagnosed with epilepsy and the diagnoses was really challenging for them. Together we did some research and created a book for them to share with their peers. The student really enjoyed the activity, however I can't help but think a green screen project would have been a great option as well! I really like that in the videos we got to see a wide age range of students using the green screen. Being a counsellor for students in grade primary to 8 it is nice to be able to learn about new resources and develop new skills that I could use with all of my students!

There is a small office/room between my teaching room and my colleague's room and I think I will ask if we can paint one of the walls green to create a permanent green screen space for students! it would allow them some privacy to record! We have these rooms in each neighbourhood/grade level and may even suggest it as a school wide initiative! We do have a green screen(green sheet/material) lighting and microphones but it would eliminate one of the steps by already being a ready made space

I experimented with Canva's background remover and created a video using the materials provided. I was pleased to discover that Canva can remove backgrounds from selected videos. I believe this feature can reduce student anxiety related to in-person presentations. As I plan to use the Digital Passport presentation assignment in my Biology 12 class, I had been considering alternative ways for students who struggle with presentations to demonstrate their learning. Green screen technology offers a great solution. It provides an alternative avenue for students to explore and demonstrate their understanding, opening new opportunities for both students and teachers.

I've observed students teaching each other and using their smartphones to create and share short videos on various apps. Students are increasingly accustomed to using technology to search for and gather information online. However, they often lack sufficient guidance regarding cybersecurity and copyright, despite their daily technology use. I believe addressing this is a critical task, a hidden curriculum that teachers should be aware of and begin implementing. Students need to be trained to critically evaluate online information using the 5 Ws and 1 H framework. Awareness of cybersecurity and copyright can be integrated into course assignments and tasks, allowing students to develop these crucial skills through routine practice.

A few years ago, I did a green screen project with my class where we created a news reporter-style video. It was super fun, but honestly, it ended up being a lot more work on my end than I had planned. The kids loved filming, but since they were in Grade 2, I had to take on most of the editing myself—usually outside of class time—which made the whole thing way more time-consuming than I expected.

That’s probably why I haven’t gone back to green screen projects since! But I would love to find a way to try again, this time with students taking more ownership of the entire process. If there are tools or strategies that make editing more accessible for younger kids (using the tech we have available), I’d be excited to give it another shot! 😊

Key Takeaways from Slide 9:

The video was really moving and inspiring—it was so cool to see kids’ green screen projects! I especially loved the idea of having students put themselves inside a storybook picture—it makes storytelling so much more immersive. Using green screens as a way for students to show their thinking is also such a creative approach.

That said, in a setting where we don’t have iPads in the classroom and can’t download apps without pre-approval (plus waiting on tech requests), I’m wondering if there’s a way to make this work using Chromebooks? Are there any web-based platforms that students can log into with their GSNPES accounts that would allow them to create green screen projects without needing additional app downloads? I’d love to find a way to make this more accessible within our current tech setup!